ASHLAND — We already know who will represent District 6 in the Little League State Softball Tournaments beginning on Saturday in Winchester.

For the 9-10-year-olds, it’s South Shore.

For the 11-12s, it’s Russell-Flatwoods.

For both, pitching is high on the list of reasons why they’ve reached this point.

By Wednesday, we’ll know the district’s representatives for baseball in  9-10s, 10-11s and 11-12s and Junior League.

Staying on softball, though, it’s taken big performances within the pitching circle for both teams.

Russell-Flatwoods went with Alexis Maynard — and could’ve just as comfortably also gone with Camryn Ratliff, according to assistant coach Rod Hieneman — for the final game against Lewis County on Tuesday, one the R-F All-Stars won 6-5.

But, if it wasn’t for an offensive turnaround and the steadiness of pitcher Sara Hieneman, Russell-Flatwoods may be sitting at home this weekend.

Hieneman struck out 16 in the district extra-inning loss (6-3 in seven innings) to Lewis County, one that put them one loss away from elimination, on Saturday.

The entire team showed up to an optional Sunday evening practice,and it paid off.

Russell turned 13 infield pop-ups the day before into a five-run explosion in the third inning en route to an 8-6 win on Monday.

“Our team showed maturity and a tremendous amount of focus,” said coach Hieneman.

Sara Hieneman tossed a no-hitter against Ashland American and a four-hitter against South Shore in Area play.

R-F manager Kendra Holmes attributed some of her team’s success to the leadership shown by Hieneman and Annalee Miller, who both played junior varsity for Russell last season.

“Sara’s pitching has improved 100 percent, and a lot of that has to do with admiring (Russell high school varsity pitcher) Mallory Powell and (Lady Devil pitcher) Molly Baldridge,” Holmes said. “She has the confidence you want in a pitcher ... has that look about her. You know she’s there to take care of business.”

Also taking care of business was South Shore’s 9-10-year-olds, and in dominating fashion.

The team outscored opponents by a whopping margin of 50 runs — 53-3 — in four games that included Area and District play.

“We have two really good pitchers,” said SS manager James Crosier of McKenzie Crosier and Haven Layne. “Haven has great speed, McKenzie has great accuracy. The two together make a great pair for the defense.”

Crosier, the manager, also gave credit to catcher Jaqueling Batista for her work behind the plate.

McKenzie Crosier threw a perfect game against Ashland American on Monday, June 25.

On Tuesday the 26th, Haven Layne was one batter away from a perfect game against Russell-Flatwoods — she walked one.

South Shore finally gave up some runs against Russell-Flatwoods on that Thursday, prior to shutting out Olive Hill, 11-0, on Saturday for the district championship and a state tournament berth.

South Shore put the 10-run mercy rule (through four innings) in effect in each of the four games.

“We have several girls hitting the ball well,” Crosier said. “After that second game, we realized we had a very well-put-together team.”

South Shore plays on Saturday at noon, Sunday at 1 p.m. and Monday at 7 p.m. in pool play. The two best teams from pool play will battle for the state title on Tuesday.

Russell-Flatwoods plays on Saturday at noon, Sunday at 5 p.m. and Monday at 7 p.m. for a spot in a four-team single elimination field, which will hold its semifinal games on Tuesday and championship game on Wednesday.



Warrior call

The Kentucky Warriors kept up their winning ways this past Saturday.

They take a 5-0 record into the halfway point of the regular season after a 42-33 comeback victory.

It wasn’t easy in Cincinnati, where the Ohio Ducks used two third-quarter scores to take a 33-22 lead heading into the fourth.

That’s when David Mallory scampered 57 yards to paydirt, and then Nate Fannin picked off a pass and took it 45 yards to the end zone to give the Warriors a 36-33 advantage.

The opportunistic defense came through again in the final seconds, when Chris Sopher recovered a fumble and ran 37 yards to the house.

The semi-pro Warriors host the Lancaster Sabers on Saturday at Spartan Stadium in Portsmouth.



Okoro shines

A former Louisville All-American, Russell product Chinwe Okoro won the African Discus title with a throw of 185-8 and was second in the shot put at 53-2.25.



Musketeer in Australia

Greenup County’s Cara Jorio, a track and field athlete, accepted an invitation to participate in the Down Under Sports Tournaments in Australia.

Jorio left for Australia on Sunday.



Price is right

Freshman Sarah Price is beginning to draw some state and nationwide attention.

Price, who will begin her freshman year at Bath County this fall, was named a top five elite camper at the University of Kentucky camp. More than 160 elite campers attended.

Price, 15, is on several watch lists and is currently playing AAU for the West Virginia Thunder in the national tournament in Orlando, Fla.

Several college are already showing interest in Price, according to Bath County coach Troy Lee Thomas. She averaged 10 points, 10 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game as an eighth-grader.

“She is the Kenneth Faried of high school girls basketball,” Thomas said. “Her favorite college and NBA player is Kenneth Faried. She reminds me so much of Kenneth because her motor is always going. She never stops.”

Thomas said Price will often do her own individual workout and then two hours later be back for a team workout.

Price also participated in the ESPN Elite 64 camp in Atlanta and performed well in the two-day showing against some of the nation’s top prospects, Thomas said.

She is one of three returning starters for Bath County.



’Burg’s new digs

Wheelersburg football’s new Ed Miller Stadium is nearing completion, according to the Portsmouth Daily Times. The $3.2 million facility will open for a public Meet the Team night on Aug. 18.

The new stadium will provide handicapped-accessible bleachers for 1,700 fans, according to the newspaper, and the new field is artificial turf. Restrooms, concession stands and the press box are also new.

AARON SNYDER can be reached at asnyder@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.